Belk, a US department store chain, is set to reopen its local stores from May after closing them temporarily because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The private department store company said that its stores across South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas are planned to be opened for shoppers on 1 May.

Belk said that it is enforcing recommended safety precautions from the CDC and state and local health authorities. Its department stores will be open from noon to 6:00 PM with Belk to restrict the number of people shopping in the store to ensure social distancing standards are followed.

Apart from the reopening of the stores, Belk has launched the Curbside Pickup service at most of its stores, including all stores that will be open in May, which gives an additional limited contact shopping option.

Customers who order through the company website or on the mobile app can collect their order Monday-Sunday between noon-5:00 PM. The service is free of cost and is available for same-day pick up within a couple of hours on orders placed by 1:00 PM.

Lisa Harper – CEO of Belk said: “For more than 130 years, the health and safety of our customers and associates has remained a top priority.

“While the shopping experience may look a little different, our commitment to offering quality products at a value customers deserve, providing exceptional service, and helping our local communities remains true to who we are. We sincerely thank everyone who has supported us during this unprecedented time.”

Belk said that the reopening of its stores, which is being done in multiple phases, will comply with local and state protocol. The department store chain company said that it expects additional store openings in more states in the month of May.

  Belk, COVID-19, Lisa Harper, USA